Report to the Community: improvement trajectories at Vitalité Health Network

Vitalité Health Network, Monday, June 24, 2024 – Vitalité Health Network's ambitious recruitment initiatives are bearing fruit. This is one of the findings of the Network's latest Report to the Community, entitled “Rising above challenges,” covering the period from April to June 2024.

The document also provides an overview of progress made in improving primary health care and patient flow, as well as efforts to retain health care professionals.

Meeting the challenges of labour shortages in the health care sector

To fill critical positions, particularly in nursing, Vitalité Health Network has implemented a dynamic international recruitment strategy. Representatives attended job fairs in Morocco, France and Belgium in the fourth quarter of 2023-2024, identifying nearly 200 potential hires. Additional missions are planned for 2024 to extend recruitment efforts in Tunisia.

Highlights

  • From April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, the Network hired 267 nursing professionals (registered nurses, patient care attendants and licensed practical nurses) versus 145 departures.
  • The number of new hires at the Network exceeds the number of departures. 
  • Overall, 186 graduates from nursing and patient care attendant programs accepted a job offer.
  • A total of 166 international recruits accepted a job offer.

Supporting international staff with an immigration support service 

To support new international employees, the Network has created an immigration support service. Comprised of four immigration advisors, two administrative assistants and a team leader, this unit ensures compliance with immigration laws, regulations and policies. It also offers a range of essential services to facilitate the smooth integration of newcomers.

Highlights

  • Pre-arrival information sessions covering various aspects of life in Canada
  • Evaluation of individual needs and personalized settlement plans
  • Help finding accommodation and childcare
  • Job search support for spouses
  • Coordination with community organizations for additional support

Deploying local family health teams: transforming health care delivery to meet community needs

A key element of the Network's strategy to improve access to primary health care is the creation of local family health teams.

Implementation of the model continues apace, with collaboration meetings taking place in all the Network’s regions.

Twelve teams are currently active. The new Connexion Health Centre in Moncton, which is part of the Vitalité Health Network model, has already taken on 2,844 orphan patients.

Highlights 

  • A total of 11,778 orphan patients were added to the initial patient base of 48,862.
  • The average access time for patients included in the model has been reduced by 30%, from 12 days to 8 days.
  • The following health care professionals are committed to the creation of the model:
    • 153 out of 216 physicians;
    • 17 nurse practitioners;
    • 45 other health professionals.

“Our ability to transform the system so that it better meets the needs of patients and communities depends largely on this vital resource, our health care workers," said Dr. France Desrosiers, President and CEO of Vitalité Health Network. “These results are tangible proof that Vitalité Health Network's teams are mobilized, dynamic and responsive. I encourage communities to get involved in the transformation of our health care system and to show their support for Vitalité Health Network.”

More information is available in the Network's quarterly report.

The report will be presented at the public meeting of the Board of Directors on June 25, 2024, at 1:30 p.m., at the Four Points by Sheraton, 40 Lady Ada Boulevard, Moncton, and virtually via the Zoom platform. Simultaneous interpretation services will be provided in the province’s two official languages. Those wishing to attend the meeting can do so online or in person.

There will be a question period at the end of the meeting.  Those who wish to ask questions can send them in advance to engagement [at] vitalitenb.ca. 

Journalists wishing to arrange an interview may do so now by contacting media [at] vitalitenb.ca.